West Newsmagazine 5-1-24

FACEBOOK.COM/WESTNEWSMAGAZINE
WESTNEWSMAGAZINE.COM
Bridging cultures through language
May 1, 2024
WEST NEWSMAGAZINE
I NEWS I 15
By LAURA BROWN
Hindi USA is teaching young students
the Indian culture through the Hindi language,
dance and song.
On April 14 the organization held its
second annual cultural festival at the
Hindu Temple of St. Louis in West St.
Louis County. This year’s event featured
21 performances that were choreographed
and performed by students with the help of
parent volunteers. What began as
a small group of students learning
Hindi at the local library in 2018
has grown to 170 students from
across the St. Louis area connecting
with their Indian heritage and
cultural roots.
Mayank and Dr. Anshu Jain are
the husband and wife co-founders
of the West County chapter of Hindi
USA, where their two children are
students.
“If you know the language you
will have an insider view of what’s
going on,” Mayank said. “Each
of these songs performed today
represent the majority of the religions
that are practiced in India.
These songs and dances are the timeless
epics that every single Indian knows. They
cover five different religions: Hindu, Sikh,
Christian, Muslim and Jain. These songs
connect the students to every single part of
India. That’s the beauty; we have covered
most of the country’s regions and dances,
all in the Hindi language.”
Meghna Lunkad is a parent volunteer
who teaches Hindi for the organization. Her
12-year-old son, Samik, has been a student
since 2018. She said Hindi USA is not just
about teaching the kids the language, but
also about keeping them connected to their
roots in India. This is the second year they
have put on the cultural show and Lunkad
served as one of the emcees.
“The response we received from the community
has been phenomenal,” Lunkad
said. “We have a good partnership with
West County and Parkway and Rockwood
school districts.”
Hindi USA performs on April 14.
Mayank said he would like to see the
Hindi language taught in local schools.
“In West County we have 30,000 Indian
people, the largest immigrant population,
surpassing the Latino community,” Mayank
said. “India is the fifth largest economy in
the world. Every single business in the U.S.
has back offices or something in India, so
it’s going to be making them a global citizen
if they learn the language. Hindi is the
fourth largest spoken language in the world.”
1855 Hwy 109, Wildwood, MO 63038 * 636-458-9202
passiglia@passiglia.com
Mother’s Day sale
25% oFF storeWIDe
LOCAL FAMILY, from previous
nurse.”
Jessica enrolled at St. Charles Community
College, applied at Progress West and
the rest is history.
“I absolutely love it. I’m spoiled now,”
she said. “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to
work for another hospital system or even
another department. I love the ER so much.
“I do everything except administer medication.
Everything a nurse needs help with
can be delegated to me, and I’ll do what
I can to keep it running smoothly. If a
patient pushes a call button, I come running
and do whatever I can to make them
feel better.”
She suspects another generation of
healthcare providers could be waiting in
the wings.
“My 10-year-old daughter says she wants
to become a veterinarian, which I love. I
think I said the same thing at her age
because I wanted to care for something but
I wasn’t sure it was humans. Then as I got
older, with the influence and help of my
mom and my grandma, I was like ‘Wow, I
love people!’” Jessica exclaimed. “I want
to make people feel good. I want to make
them smile.’”
Like mother, like daughter – and, as
Mother’s Day approaches, Jessica and
Sharla were quick to share the secret of
their success.
“All of the women in the family are
extraordinary,” Jessica said. “But in terms
of grandma and mom, I would not be who
I am, or where I am, or anything close to
successful if I did not have them in my life.”
Sharla also gave credit to her dad.
“We’re 100% grounded in family,” she
said. “My mother and father have been
married for 56 years and every day they
demonstrate to us what family looks like.”
That sense of family, Sharla said, extends
to the community they serve.
WE OFFER EXPERT REPAIR ON ALL JEWELRY AND WATCHES!
Celebrating over 50 years of family-owned tradition
12630 OLIVE BLVD. • CREVE COEUR
314.205.9888 • HYATTJEWELERS.COM
Previous sales excluded. May not be combined with other offers. Sale ends Saturday, May 13, 2023.
BRIDAL SETS • ENGAGEMENT RINGS • PENDANTS • NECKLACES
BANGLES • BRACELETS • EARRINGS • WATCHES